Impulse timer adapted for remote starting



April 6, 1965 J. W. JACOBS IMPULSE TIMER ADAPTED FOR REMOTE STARTING 3Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed Oct. 20, 1958 2- J v fi I T f", I. A

m M M \H M y w J L h \iil. E 1b,. 1 1 11 6 m INVENTOR.

JAMES W. JACOBS ATTORNEY FIG.

April 1965 J. w. JACOBS 3,177,380

IMPULSE TIMER ADAPTED FOR REMOTE STARTING Original Filed Oct. 20. 1958 3Sheets-Sheet 2 98 FIG. 2 ICONTACT CLOSED TIMER gIg RT --3 o P Dc "TACTOEN --0NE COMPLETE ROTATIONAL CYCLE or 5 /MPIII sEs- -I80 /ao FIRSTCOMPLETE CYCLE -sEcoND COMPLETE CYCLE' CON- TIME INTERVAL TACT CIRCUIT o9 I8 27 as 45 so 12 DRAIN I SOLENOID --p-# I --h--I z- TIMER a TIMER I 4DETERGENT I b 5 RINsE DRY F I e MOTOR F- *-I Iq-III 7 FILL huh Ii blinaHEATER -l-l* -I-I* INVENTOR.

JAMES W- JACOBS AT TO RNEY April 6, 1965 J. w. JAcoBs IMPULSE TIMERADAPTED' FOR REMOTE smmne 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Original Filed Oct. 20, 1958MAIN OTOR

INVENTOR.

JAMES W. JACOBS QWJ% ATTORNEY FIG- 3 IIO United States Patent 1 Claim.(Cl. 307141.8)

This invention relates to a domestic appliance and more particularly toa control circuit for a dishwasher. This is a continuation of SN.768,288, filed October 20, 1958, and now abandoned.

Dishwashers which are in current vogue include a timer mechanism forsequentially controlling a dishwasher through a plurality of differingoperations. In the design of a dishwasher cabinet, the dishwashingchamber must necessarily utilize a substantial portion of the upper partof the cabinet. For this reason, it is customary to install the timermechanism in an area beneath the dishwashing chamber-an area referred toas the motor compartment. With the timer mechanism so disposed, a dialincorporating the dishwasher sequence is permitted to extend outside ofthe motor compartment on the lower front panel of the dishwasher. At thesame time, a start button for the timer is placed in a more accessibleposition for the operator on an upper portion of the dishwasher door.This button may then be operated to start the timer and thereby initiatea dishwashing cycle. In the past, the location of a start button remotefrom the timer mechanism has necessitated the use of a solenoid operatedholding circuit. These components are the source of occasional servicingproblems and add significantly to the product cost.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to eliminate the holdingcircuit from the control system of a sequentially operated appliance.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a dishwasher having atimer mechanism in a bottom portion thereof with a start switch in anupper portion thereof that is effective to initiate the timer mechanismfor one or more operating cycles without the need of a holding circuit.

It is a more particular object of this invention to provide a timermechanism with a cam about which two operating cycles are designed, anda follower for said cam which is efiective to energize said timermechanism to start an operating cycle when a start button is placed ineither of two positions.

It is an additional advantage of this invention to provide a two cycletimer mechanism operating on the impulse principle with cams havingfirst and second cycle sections and a follower switch which is adaptedto move from one cycle section of said cam to the other to condition theappliance for a repeat cycle on the last impulse of said timer mechanismin each of said cycles.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparentfrom the following description, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawings, wherein a preferred form of the present invention is clearlyshown.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a side sectional view of a dishwasher suitable for use withthis invention;

FIGURE 2 is a diagrammatic representation of the starting arrangementfor a timer control circuit;

FIGURE 3 is a diagrammatic wiring diagram of a sequentially operateddishwashing cycle incorporating this invention FIGURE 4 is a timerimpulse chart indicating the position of the various timer switches inthe wiring diagram 3,177,380 Fat-elated Apr. 6, 1965 of FIGURE 3 at anygiven time in the dishwashing cycle; and

FIGURE 5 is a view of the two cycle cam incorporated in this invention.

With reference to FIGURE 1, a dishwasher, shown generally at 10, isconstructed with a dishwashing chamber 12 having a top wall 14, a rearwall 16 and a sump 18 At the outer end of said dishwashing chamber 12 anopening 20 is formed and selectively closed by a door 22 hingedlymounted to the dishwasher 10 along a bottom edge thereof. Beneath thedishwashing chamber 12 is a motor compartment 24 having a front panel26, a toe space panel 28 and a base support 30. Depending from sump 18is a pump 32 powered by a motor 34. Within the dishwashing chamber 12 ahorizontally arranged spray tube 36 is rotatably mounted to a header 38on the rear wall 16 of the dishwashing chamber. A bracket 40 is securedalso to the rear Wall 16 for supporting the spray tube 36 and extendsoutwardly to rotatably support a shaft 42 at the outer end of the spraytube 36. To provide a dishwashing action, the pump 32 receives watercollecting in sump 18 and directs the water through a conduit 44- to theheader 38 at the rear end of the spray tube 36. Within the header 38 aspiral action is imparted to the water entering the spray tube and thisswirl is effective to cause the spray tube 36 to rotate. This rotationthrows a pattern of water which serves to scrub the surfaces of thedishes and utensils placed within the dishwashing chamber 12.Periodically during a dishwashing cycle, it is necessary to drain thewater from sump 18 and for this purpose a drain valve 46 is connected tothe pump 32 and actuated by a solenoid 48 in accordance with thedictates of a timer mechanism, shown generally at St and described morefully hereinafter. During the recirculation of water between the sump 18and the spray tube 36, the interposition of a filter basket 54 assuresthat relatively clean water is sprayed over the dishes being washed. Anelectrical heater 52 is positioned near the bottom portion of thedishwashing chamber 12 and adapted also for sequential operation by thetiming mechanism 50. For additional details of a dishwashing apparatusof the type illustrated, reference may be had to the patent to Abreschet al., No. 2,808,063, issued October 1, 1957.

As aforesaid, a timer mechanism is required to sequential-ly energizethe various operating components of the dishwasher 10. The many featureswhich have been incorporated on appliances such as a dishwashernecessarily require a timer proportionately larger to accommodate theadditional cams needed to operate the features incorporated. Since asubstantial number of dishwasher installations are in under-counterlocations and since it is preferable to select a timer location whichwill be universal for all models, the back-splash of a dishwasher hasbeen avoided as a space for installation of timer mechanisms. Thedishwasher door 22 is provided with a narrow space 56 which is generallyutilized to the fullest extent with insulation and dispensers such as adetergent dispenser 58 and a surfactant or rinse dry dispenser 60. Thesespace limitations have required dishwasher manufacturers tov install thetimer mechanism 50 in the motor compartment 24 below the dishwashingchamber 12. In this location a timer shaft 62 is permitted to extendthrough the front panel 26 of the motor compartment, where an operatingdial or cycle indicator knob 64 is positioned for access by theoperator. However, it is undesirable to require the operator to stoop toa position where she must grasp the dial 64 to start the dishwashingcycle, and to overcome this objection it is current practice to includea start button 66 on the upper portion of the door 22 in a readily accessible location for the operator. Since the start button 66 is remotefrom the timer 50, a holding circuit is required s,177,sso

(such as elements 235, 237,239 and 241 in FIGURE 8 of the Abresch patentcited hereinbefore). Such a holding a circuit includes a start relaywhich energizes the timer circuit until the timer mechanism is inoperation; At each repetition of the washing cycle or after anyinterruption to the washing cycle, the holding circuit must bereenergized by reoperating the start button to repeat or continue thewash cycle. It is here proposed to eliminate such a holding circuit andthe relay components associated therewith by a novel circuitry in whicha single pole, double throw switch or a push button switch which makeson either of two contacts sequentially is incorporated in a novel mannerwith a timer cam (FIGURE which revolves 180 for a complete dishwashingcycle, i.e. each timer cam supports two complete cycles on itsperiphery. Elimination of the start relay is accomplished by having adouble-acting cam move from the bottom or first cycle position to thetop or second cycle position of the cam with no intermediate offposition. This is practical merely by using a timer mechanism of theimpulse type similar to that taught in the Patent 2,227,133, issuedDecember 31, 1940, whereby each advance of the timer is spring biased atmeasured intervals in the timed cycles.

With the general outline of the novel concepts of this inventiondescribed immediately hereina/bovc, reference may now be had to FIGURE 2wherein a starting circuit for the timer 50 is provided with a timermotor 7 0 adapted to rotate the timer shaft 62. Since the timer 50 is ofthe impulse type, it includes mechanism (not shown) to permit an advanceof shaft 62 at measured intervals. Mounted on the timer shaft 62 is acam, shown generally at 72 and a cycle dial, shown generally at 64-. Thecam 72 is divided into an enlarged first cycle segment 76 and a reducedsecond cycle segment 78. In this regard a complete dishwashing cycle isprogrammed on each 180 segment 76 and segment 78 of the timer cam 72.Indicative of this sequential arrangement, the timer dial 64 is shownwith first cycle operational indications 80 which are effectivesimultaneously with the enlarged first cycle segment 76 of cam '72, andsecond cycle operational indications 82 indicative of dishwashingsequences programmed by the reduced second cycle cam segment '78, A camfollower 84 rides on the segments '76, 78 of cam 72 during the rotationthereof and motivates a switch blade I 86 between a reduced cam orsecond cycle segment start contact 2 and an enlarged cam or first cyclesegment start in the second cycle indicated by dial segment $2, thefollower 84 moves to cam position 90 and in so doing causes switch blade86 to move away from contact 2 to terminate the dishwashing cycle. Sincethis invention contemplates the elimination of a holding circuit, thestart button 66 may include a single pole, double throw switch blade 92'which moves between a second cycle start contact 94 and a first cyclestart contact as. The switch 66 may be of any conventional type but apush-push double throw switch is preferable.

Tounderstand the start circuit of this invention an operating cycle willnow be. described in connection with FIGURE 2. Considerthe controlcircuitry of the dishwasher or any timer operated appliance as indicatedby.

the load 98. In the circuit arrangement shown in FIG- URE 2, thedishwashing mechanism is in its inoperative ing the main motor 34.

position. To initiate a dishwashing cycle, the start switch sswitchblade 92 from a contact 94 to contact 96.

(i. motor 70 and line 106 to L With timer motor 70 in operation, thepulsing mechanism within timer 50 operates to intermittently rotate cam72. A 5 pulse or intermittent rotation has been found satisfactory forthe purposes of the dishwashing cycle here describedpbut it should be 73 and the circuit to the timer motor 70 will be deenergized.

Immediately thereafter or at some later'time, the operator may wish toinitiate another dishwashing cycle and she may do so merely by operatingthe switch 66 to move the Once again, a dishwashing cycle will beinitiated. The timer motor 70 will be energized from L line 100,follower switch blade 86, contact 3, line 108, start switch contact 6,start switch blade 92, line 102, line 1&4, timer motor 70 and line 1% toL The dishwashing cycle programmed by the peripheral configuration ofcam segment 76 and other timer cams as needed will then be in controland follower 84 will move on segment 76 during the first dishwashingcycle until it reaches cam position 110 just prior to termination of thefirst cycle. The next pulse of cam shaft 62 will move follower 84 onanother ramp portion to the positionshown in FIGURE 2, the firstdishwashing cycle will be terminated and the second dishwashing cycleconditioned for subsequent operation.

This starting circuit just described may be incorporated in anyappliance embodying an impulse timer sequentially positioned during anoperating cycle. For purposes of explanation, the novel concepts of thisinvention have been embodied in a dishwashing cycle illustrated moreparticularly in the schematic diagram of FIGURE 3 and the timer advancechart of FIGURE 4 to which reference may now be had. The circuitry ofFIGURE 3 includes a door switch 112 which is effective to interrupt thedishwashing control circuit whenever the door 22 is opened. Theadvantage of this is obvious in that it prevents water from beingsprayed out of the dishwasher 10. Outside of this protectivearrangement'is the drain solenoid 48 which must necessarily operate todrain the sump 18 in eliminating water from the dishwasher 10 regardlessof the relationship of door 22. In addition to the timer motor 70 andthe pump motor 34, the circuit includes a solenoid 114 for operating thedetergent dispenser 58 and a solenoid 116 for operating the surfactantdispenser 60. The heater 52 and a fill solenoid 118 complete the circuitcomponentsprovided for the features of this dishwashing cycle. Inaddition to the switch 86 which is operated by the follower 84 on thecam 72 as explained hereinbefore,

the timer motor 70 effectively positions a cam actuated timer switch 120in controlling the drain solenoid 48, a cam actuated timer switch 122 inselectively energizing the dispenser solenoids 114 and 116, a camactuatedswitch 124 for selectively energizing the heater 52 or the fillsolenoid 118 and a cam actuated switch 126 for energiz- To initiate adishwashing cycle, the operator loads the dishes in the dishwashingchamber 12 and closes and latches the door 22. This latching operationis effective to close the door switch 112. Next, the operator actuatesthe switch 66 to move the switch blade 92 to contact 94 (the dashed lineposition) if in the relationship of FIG- URE 3' or from contact 94 to 96if switch blade 92 is in the reverse relationship; In the FIGURE 3arrang'ement the timer motor is energized from L door switch 112, line128, switch blade 92, start switch contact 94, line 130,

first cycle contact 2, follower switch blade 86, line 132,

line 134, timer motor 70, line 136 to L With the timer motor '70 inoperation, the cam shaft 62 is intermittently pulsed to sequentiallyposition cam actuated switches 120, 86, 122, 124 and 126. With referenceto FIGURES 3 and 4, the drain solenoid 48 will remain deenergized forone timer pulse to permit the water entering the dishwashing chamber 12to become warm. During this time the motor 34 is energized to pump thecold water to drain. After this delay, switch 120 will close to energizethe drain solenoid 48, thereby closing the drain valve 46 and permittingwater to collect in sump 13. One timer pulse thereafter cam switch 126is energized to operate main motor 34 by way of L door switch 112, line128, start switch blade 92, line 130, follower switch blade 86, line132, timer switch 126, timer contact 6, line 138 and line 136 to L Waterwill thus be circulated by way of the spray tube 36 throughout thedishwashing chamber 12 for a predetermined wash period, at theconclusion of which the drain solenoid 48 will be deenergized by theopening of timer switch 120 and the water will be pumped from the sump18 to drain. There may be another washing operation in which detergentis dispensed by the positioning of timer switch 122 on contact 4 and thereenergization of motor 34 through timer switch 126 to distribute thedetergent saturated washing solution throughout the wishwashing chamber12. It is immaterial, insofar as this invention is concerned, just whatthe timer cycle consists of. After the desired number of washingoperations, one or more rinses may be effected to remove all of the sudsfrom the dishes being washed and from the dishwashing chamber 12.Throughout the cycle, heater 52 may be intermittently energized by thepositioning of cam switch a 124 on contact 3, thereby providing acontinuous source of heat to maintain the temperature of the water beingcirculated. At the conclusion of the washing and rinsing operations theheater is again operated for an extended period to dry the dishes.During the 35th and 71st timer interval on the chart of FIGURE 4, onlythe timer motor '70 and the heater 52 are energized. At this point thecam switch 124 is moved from contact 8 to deenergize the heater 42 priorto the termination of the dishwashing cycle at the end of the 36th and72nd timer intervals. At the end of the 36th interval (the completion ofthe first cycle) and as explained with reference to FIGURE 2, the camfollower 84 moves from the first cycle cam segment 76 to the secondcycle cam segment 78 thereby terminating one complete dishwasher cycleand priming the timer circuit for another. A similar function will occurat the end of the 72nd timer pulse when the cam follower 84 moves fromthe second cycle cam segment 7 8 to the first cycle cam segment 76. Itshould therefore be seen that a simplified starting circuit for asequentially positioned appliance has been effected wherein a holdingcircuit has been eliminated and two timed cycles provided with onerotation of a timer cam. The foregoing invention has been explained inconnection with a dishwasher which is but one of the many potential usesfor this invention. For instance, it has been found advantageous toapply this novel circuitry to a waste disposer which is made automaticsimply by the addition of a multi-cycle timer and a two position switch.To initiate each succeeding disposing operation, the switch isrepositioned and the timer actuated to control a predetermined wastedisposing period. This is accomplished without the need of a holdingcircuit to start the disposer and with an automatic termination of thedisposer operation.

While the form of embodiment of the invention as herein disclosedconstitutes a preferred form, it is to be understood that other formsmight be adopted, as may come within the scope of the claim whichfollows.

What is claimed is as follows:

An impulse timer for controlling at least two complete multiple functiontimed operating cycles and adapted to be started from a remote locationand energized throughout each of said cycles without a holding circuit,said timer including timer motor means and a power shaft adapted to beimpulsed by said timer motor means at measured intervals for rotation inangular increments of predetermined extent, a generally circular cam onsaid power shaft and movable therewith, said cam having a reduced radiussection for timing one of said cycles and an enlarged radius section fortiming another of said cycles, ramp means on said cam connecting saidsections, a timer switch blade connected to one side of a power supplyfor energizing and deenergizing said timer motor means and movablebetween first and second positions, a follower adapted to ride on saidsections and said ramp means for moving said timer switch blade betweensaid positions to deenergize said timer motor means thereby to terminateeach of said cycles, timer start switch means connected in series withthe other side of said power supply and said timer motor means andadapted for installation at said remote location, said timer startswitch means being manually movable between first and second contacts toenergize said timer motor means thereby to start each of said cycles,first conductor means sufiiciently long to permit location of said timerstart switch means remote from said timer switch blade and directlyconnecting said first contact to said first position for completing acircuit between the timer motor means and the power supply when saidtimer switch blade is on said first position and said timer start switchmeans is moved to said first contact thereby to rotate said cam reducedsection past said follower to time said one of said cycles, said rampmeans in cooperation With one of the impulses being effective on one ofsaid angular increments at the end of said one of said cycles to placesaid follower on said enlarged section and said timer switch blade onsaid second position thereby to terminate said one of said cycles, andsecond conductor means sufficiently long to permit location of saidtimer start switch means remote from said timer switch blade anddirectly connecting said second contact to said second position forcompleting a circuit between the timer motor means and the power supplywhen said timer switch blade is on said second position and said timerstart switch means is moved to said second contact thereby to rotatesaid cam enlarged section past said follower to time said another ofsaid operating cycles, said ramp means in cooperation with another ofthe impulses being effective on one of said angular increments at theend of said another of said operating cycles to place said follower onsaid reduced section and to return said timer switch blade to said firstposition thereby to terminate said another of said operating cycles.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,980,700 11/34Rosen 307141.8 2,224,593 12/40 Brown et al. 74-112 2,543,309 2/51Andersson 307l41.8 2,553,409 5/51 Frank 318468 X 2,808,063 10/57 Abreschet a]. 13457 2,868,004 l/59 Runde 681Z LLOYD McCOLLUM, Primary Examiner.CHARLES A. WILLMUTH, Examiner.

